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The Secret Sky
Fatima is a Hazara girl. She was raised to be obedient, to be dutiful, and to honour the traditions of her family, her village, and her religion. Samiullah is a Pashtun boy. He was raised to be a landowner, to increase his family's power, and to defend the traditions of his tribe, his village, and his religion.
They were not meant to fall in love.
But they do.
They were not meant to fall in love.
But they do.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
53 people are currently reading
3060 people want to read
About the author
Atia Abawi
11 books186 followersAtia Abawi is a foreign correspondent and author based in the Middle East.
From an early age, Atia knew she wanted to be a journalist. After graduating from Virginia Tech, where she anchored the college’s local television station VTTV, Atia volunteered and was then hired on at CTV 76 –a local TV station in Largo, MD. In Maryland, Atia covered a wide range of stories – from politics to the impact that drugs and crime had on the local community - before moving to Atlanta to work for CNN.
At CNN, she started in the Media Operations department before making her way to the international desk. Within 2-years Atia was out in the field, producing on stories that included Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in Pakistan and the war in Iraq. A year-later she was hired to be CNN’s Afghanistan correspondent and manager of its Kabul bureau – an operation that she organized and set up.
In Afghanistan, Atia spent time traveling and embedding with U.S., NATO and Afghan forces -including during major military operations. She has also interviewed numerous Afghan, International, and American politicians and generals.
Outside of Afghanistan, Atia reported on various international stories for CNN -including the Aung San Suu Kyi trial – where she had to sneak into Myanmar’s military state and film covertly - and the Gaza Flotilla attack of 2010 by Israeli forces.
In 2010, NBC News hired Atia to report and manage its operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, she also reported from London as part of NBC’s Royal wedding coverage, and was a part of the NBC News special report after the US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, providing analysis and commentary. She was also able to obtain an NBC Exclusive interview with President Hamid Karzai in 2012 - the first for the network in a decade.
After nearly 5-years of living in Afghanistan, Atia moved to Jerusalem in January 2013. In that year, she covered President Barack Obama’s historic trip to Israel and Palestine, the military coup in Egypt, and the Kenyan mall siege by Al-Shabab militants among other stories.
Atia’s first book, “The Secret Sky: A Novel of Forbidden Love in Afghanistan” was published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Group, in September 2014.
Atia Abawi graduated from Virginia Tech and was most recently awarded their Outstanding Alumna honor. She is fluent in Dari and Farsi. Born in Germany, she moved to America at the age of one, growing up in Fairfax County, Virginia. Atia is married to FOX News Correspondent Conor Powell.
From an early age, Atia knew she wanted to be a journalist. After graduating from Virginia Tech, where she anchored the college’s local television station VTTV, Atia volunteered and was then hired on at CTV 76 –a local TV station in Largo, MD. In Maryland, Atia covered a wide range of stories – from politics to the impact that drugs and crime had on the local community - before moving to Atlanta to work for CNN.
At CNN, she started in the Media Operations department before making her way to the international desk. Within 2-years Atia was out in the field, producing on stories that included Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in Pakistan and the war in Iraq. A year-later she was hired to be CNN’s Afghanistan correspondent and manager of its Kabul bureau – an operation that she organized and set up.
In Afghanistan, Atia spent time traveling and embedding with U.S., NATO and Afghan forces -including during major military operations. She has also interviewed numerous Afghan, International, and American politicians and generals.
Outside of Afghanistan, Atia reported on various international stories for CNN -including the Aung San Suu Kyi trial – where she had to sneak into Myanmar’s military state and film covertly - and the Gaza Flotilla attack of 2010 by Israeli forces.
In 2010, NBC News hired Atia to report and manage its operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, she also reported from London as part of NBC’s Royal wedding coverage, and was a part of the NBC News special report after the US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, providing analysis and commentary. She was also able to obtain an NBC Exclusive interview with President Hamid Karzai in 2012 - the first for the network in a decade.
After nearly 5-years of living in Afghanistan, Atia moved to Jerusalem in January 2013. In that year, she covered President Barack Obama’s historic trip to Israel and Palestine, the military coup in Egypt, and the Kenyan mall siege by Al-Shabab militants among other stories.
Atia’s first book, “The Secret Sky: A Novel of Forbidden Love in Afghanistan” was published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Group, in September 2014.
Atia Abawi graduated from Virginia Tech and was most recently awarded their Outstanding Alumna honor. She is fluent in Dari and Farsi. Born in Germany, she moved to America at the age of one, growing up in Fairfax County, Virginia. Atia is married to FOX News Correspondent Conor Powell.
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December 9, 2020Every love story has its ups and downs. Afghan loves stories have brutal peaks and valleys. Romance, persecution, pride and suffering. The story is heavy and revealing but pulls at the heart with hope.
November 25, 2014
From the start, I want to make clear that this book is not a swoony, romantic YA novel. I mean, I think that should be pretty obvious given the setting and description, but you know what they say about assuming.
The Secret Sky is a powerful novel that you'll likely find difficult to read at times. Narrated by three characters, Fatima, Sami, and Rashid, Atia Abawi's debut chronicles the complicated romance between Fatima and Sami and the violent fallout. Rashid, Sami's cousin, narrates from outside of Fatima and Sami's relationship and, for me, was perhaps the most interesting character.
Rashid is a misguided youth who's moral compass is compromised by jealousy, anger, and hatred. It is Rashid who discovers the budding romance between Fatima and Sami and Rashid who manipulates the situation in an effort guarantee an outcome borne of hatred and violence. For me his character was interesting because I couldn't identify with his thought process and actions. I was fascinated this deeply flawed, deeply wrong individual. I wanted redemption for him; I wanted him to see the error in his ways.
I really felt for Sami and Fatima. I have a hard time understanding why two people who love and respect one another shouldn't be together, so the entire concept of their relationship being forbidden because they are from different cultural groups was really hard for me to stomach. Still, I feel better informed after reading The Secret Sky. I admit that I know very little about Afghanistan or the cultural groups that make up Afghani society. I have so much more left to learn, but, now, my interest is piqued. I hope that other readers - teens and adults alike - will read this novel and feel the need to go out and learn more about Sami and Fatima's world.
Recommended.
The Secret Sky is a powerful novel that you'll likely find difficult to read at times. Narrated by three characters, Fatima, Sami, and Rashid, Atia Abawi's debut chronicles the complicated romance between Fatima and Sami and the violent fallout. Rashid, Sami's cousin, narrates from outside of Fatima and Sami's relationship and, for me, was perhaps the most interesting character.
Rashid is a misguided youth who's moral compass is compromised by jealousy, anger, and hatred. It is Rashid who discovers the budding romance between Fatima and Sami and Rashid who manipulates the situation in an effort guarantee an outcome borne of hatred and violence. For me his character was interesting because I couldn't identify with his thought process and actions. I was fascinated this deeply flawed, deeply wrong individual. I wanted redemption for him; I wanted him to see the error in his ways.
I really felt for Sami and Fatima. I have a hard time understanding why two people who love and respect one another shouldn't be together, so the entire concept of their relationship being forbidden because they are from different cultural groups was really hard for me to stomach. Still, I feel better informed after reading The Secret Sky. I admit that I know very little about Afghanistan or the cultural groups that make up Afghani society. I have so much more left to learn, but, now, my interest is piqued. I hope that other readers - teens and adults alike - will read this novel and feel the need to go out and learn more about Sami and Fatima's world.
Recommended.
August 10, 2021
characters - One thing for sure, they are one dimensional. From the beginning to the end, I see no character development, even to the leads, especially to the leads, I mean. I really want to describe them as unrealistic characters but I believe I am not in the right place to say so because I haven't met Afghanistan people.
You know what, throughout the whole novel, I felt like I was reading a typical Wattpad story due to how the characters acted and how the story flows. Okay, I will not argue at how young they are to elope or whatsoever. Also, this story is the west version of ''Romeo and Juliet'' minus the love-at-first-sight and the tragic death of the lovers.
plot - like I said, it kinda resembles ''Romeo and Juliet'', star-crossed lovers. Boy meets girl and fell madly in love with each other but due to their families, they cannot be together. But of course, no one and nothing can stop them, and so they decided to elope and get married by a mullah (a priest) which is the male protagonist's friend. See? very Romeo and Juliet.
anyways, it was overall cliche but a fast-paced novel. I seriously just read this in a span of few hours or so.
writing style - The only thing I can really commend the author is her ability to change POV quickly. At least, in that way, we can get to know the trio better. besides, it's not like you'll stumble upon a lot of novels that has a 1st person pov.
however, this book gave us a quick glimpse of how hard is it for women to live in Afghanistan. It only indicates that we shouldn't take our freedom for granted nor should we abuse it.
ending - the ending was vague, I mean, are they finally safe or what? It seems like the ending was rushed. I mean, was the publisher running out of paper?
You know what, throughout the whole novel, I felt like I was reading a typical Wattpad story due to how the characters acted and how the story flows. Okay, I will not argue at how young they are to elope or whatsoever. Also, this story is the west version of ''Romeo and Juliet'' minus the love-at-first-sight and the tragic death of the lovers.
plot - like I said, it kinda resembles ''Romeo and Juliet'', star-crossed lovers. Boy meets girl and fell madly in love with each other but due to their families, they cannot be together. But of course, no one and nothing can stop them, and so they decided to elope and get married by a mullah (a priest) which is the male protagonist's friend. See? very Romeo and Juliet.
anyways, it was overall cliche but a fast-paced novel. I seriously just read this in a span of few hours or so.
writing style - The only thing I can really commend the author is her ability to change POV quickly. At least, in that way, we can get to know the trio better. besides, it's not like you'll stumble upon a lot of novels that has a 1st person pov.
however, this book gave us a quick glimpse of how hard is it for women to live in Afghanistan. It only indicates that we shouldn't take our freedom for granted nor should we abuse it.
ending - the ending was vague, I mean, are they finally safe or what? It seems like the ending was rushed. I mean, was the publisher running out of paper?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2020
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The Secret Sky isn’t a book I would ordinarily pick up. While I love diverse novels, I tend to steer clear of that little phrase “forbidden love,” which in this context likely meant “sob story.” In most cases, I like my love stories to end happily. The Secret Sky sounded really depressing, so I wasn’t sure I was interested in it. Still, an ARC showed up unsolicited at my house. Still not sure, I tried a couple pages and didn’t love the writing style. I determined to pass, but then the audio came to me and I listened and I’m very glad that I did. The Secret Sky IS depressing, but it also gave me a window on a society I know nothing about and didn’t hit that point where it was so sad that I could not even anymore.
Really horrible things happen in The Secret Sky. I expected some unhappiness, because hello forbidden love, but I wasn’t prepared for just how dark this book got. In light of that, it’s amazing that it didn’t really feel unrelentingly depressing or like a total condemnation of everything that Afghanistan is. Abawi manages to balance the darkness with the light and to convey a sense that dark forces are on top now, but that there’s a lot of good underneath.
The love story between Fatima and Sami is one I would classify as sweet. They manage some light banter, but mostly they’re childhood friends transitioning into love. Unfortunately, they’re not allowed to be together, because Sami is Pashtun and Fatima is Hazara. These two groups differ ethnically and do not get along because of their historical backgrounds. I’m really oversimplifying this, but if you’re curious, google it because I am so not the best person to explain. The two just want to get married, but this desire sets a series of horrible events in motion.
Abawi makes a really unique decision with the storytelling in The Secret Sky. Ordinarily, a romance novel would have just the two points of view, those of the lovers. In this case, there’s a third: Rashid. I was really startled by his perspective at first, because I wasn’t expecting the villain of sorts to have a first person perspective. Rashid catches Sami and Fatima talking and assumes the worst. He believes God will punish them, but wants to help God out by telling on them.
Rashid and Sami were both off at school, but they reacted to the teachings in disparate ways. Rashid fell under the influence of the Taliban and became hugely judgmental. Sami hated the school and that element. These two are cousins and Rashid has always been jealous of Sami, who is the family favorite, so seeing Sami make a mistake he wants to take advantage.
The Secret Sky, however, is not all about the horrors of the Taliban. It’s also about the good people, like the Mullah who helps the two. Islam is not the villain here. I think what makes the story easier to palate in part is Rashid’s character arc. While he caused everything, he also learns throughout the story, and I came to feel a bit sorry for him, because he honestly didn’t expect for things to go the way they did. He was naive and idealistic in the worst way.
The other thing that really made The Secret Sky work for me was the audiobook format. I’m not sure if the writing style would have been my thing, and I can’t comment on how well the perspectives are done. The audiobook narration, however, is fabulous for sure. Both Ariana Delawari and Assaf Cohen do a great job capturing the personalities of their characters. Assaf plays both male roles, but I think he distinguishes between Rashid and Sami well, imbuing Rashid’s voice with rage. This is one of those cases where I think the audiobook really brought the book to life for me.
I highly recommend The Secret Sky, particularly in audiobook format. Those who cry easily in books might want to prepare some tissues.
The Secret Sky isn’t a book I would ordinarily pick up. While I love diverse novels, I tend to steer clear of that little phrase “forbidden love,” which in this context likely meant “sob story.” In most cases, I like my love stories to end happily. The Secret Sky sounded really depressing, so I wasn’t sure I was interested in it. Still, an ARC showed up unsolicited at my house. Still not sure, I tried a couple pages and didn’t love the writing style. I determined to pass, but then the audio came to me and I listened and I’m very glad that I did. The Secret Sky IS depressing, but it also gave me a window on a society I know nothing about and didn’t hit that point where it was so sad that I could not even anymore.
Really horrible things happen in The Secret Sky. I expected some unhappiness, because hello forbidden love, but I wasn’t prepared for just how dark this book got. In light of that, it’s amazing that it didn’t really feel unrelentingly depressing or like a total condemnation of everything that Afghanistan is. Abawi manages to balance the darkness with the light and to convey a sense that dark forces are on top now, but that there’s a lot of good underneath.
The love story between Fatima and Sami is one I would classify as sweet. They manage some light banter, but mostly they’re childhood friends transitioning into love. Unfortunately, they’re not allowed to be together, because Sami is Pashtun and Fatima is Hazara. These two groups differ ethnically and do not get along because of their historical backgrounds. I’m really oversimplifying this, but if you’re curious, google it because I am so not the best person to explain. The two just want to get married, but this desire sets a series of horrible events in motion.
Abawi makes a really unique decision with the storytelling in The Secret Sky. Ordinarily, a romance novel would have just the two points of view, those of the lovers. In this case, there’s a third: Rashid. I was really startled by his perspective at first, because I wasn’t expecting the villain of sorts to have a first person perspective. Rashid catches Sami and Fatima talking and assumes the worst. He believes God will punish them, but wants to help God out by telling on them.
Rashid and Sami were both off at school, but they reacted to the teachings in disparate ways. Rashid fell under the influence of the Taliban and became hugely judgmental. Sami hated the school and that element. These two are cousins and Rashid has always been jealous of Sami, who is the family favorite, so seeing Sami make a mistake he wants to take advantage.
The Secret Sky, however, is not all about the horrors of the Taliban. It’s also about the good people, like the Mullah who helps the two. Islam is not the villain here. I think what makes the story easier to palate in part is Rashid’s character arc. While he caused everything, he also learns throughout the story, and I came to feel a bit sorry for him, because he honestly didn’t expect for things to go the way they did. He was naive and idealistic in the worst way.
The other thing that really made The Secret Sky work for me was the audiobook format. I’m not sure if the writing style would have been my thing, and I can’t comment on how well the perspectives are done. The audiobook narration, however, is fabulous for sure. Both Ariana Delawari and Assaf Cohen do a great job capturing the personalities of their characters. Assaf plays both male roles, but I think he distinguishes between Rashid and Sami well, imbuing Rashid’s voice with rage. This is one of those cases where I think the audiobook really brought the book to life for me.
I highly recommend The Secret Sky, particularly in audiobook format. Those who cry easily in books might want to prepare some tissues.
August 25, 2014
The Secret Sky broke my heart and literally made me sick.
We are in current day Afghanistan. Sami is Pashtun and a member of the land owner’s family. Fatima is Hazara, and her family works the land. They begin sneaking around seeing each other alone, which is strictly forbidden. Even though they have barely touched each other, when Sami’s cousin Rashid sees them together, his misguided beliefs about religion and the influence of the Taliban cause him to report what he has seen to the powerful leader, Mullah Latif. Rashid wants the two of them properly punished, but what happens causes much violence and begins an avalanche of events that threaten everyone involved. Rashid, now disillusioned with his beloved Taliban, becomes wrapped up in the violence and sees no way out. Fatima and Sami have no choice but to sacrifice everything.
If The Secret Sky doesn't invoke some powerful emotions in the reader, I don't know what will. I felt angry, and literally sick to my stomach at times. And always sympathetic. Living under constant threats, knowing that at any minute your life can be completely changed, or even taken from you, is too hard for me to relate to. But The Secret Sky does a good job giving you a taste of what life is like for many people in Afghanistan.
And, while the religious zealots were scary, nothing shocked me more than the behavior of Fatima's mother. I AM a mother, and I totally cannot fathom.....
Abawi does a good job of depicting Afghanistan as a beautiful place with many different peoples who are very kind and just want to live their lives as they see fit. The pacing is brisk, and there's never a dull moment.
The Secret Sky is a classic story of young people rebelling against their arranged marriages, but the consequences are deeply disturbing. Teens who enjoy these types of stories won't want to miss The Secret Sky.
We are in current day Afghanistan. Sami is Pashtun and a member of the land owner’s family. Fatima is Hazara, and her family works the land. They begin sneaking around seeing each other alone, which is strictly forbidden. Even though they have barely touched each other, when Sami’s cousin Rashid sees them together, his misguided beliefs about religion and the influence of the Taliban cause him to report what he has seen to the powerful leader, Mullah Latif. Rashid wants the two of them properly punished, but what happens causes much violence and begins an avalanche of events that threaten everyone involved. Rashid, now disillusioned with his beloved Taliban, becomes wrapped up in the violence and sees no way out. Fatima and Sami have no choice but to sacrifice everything.
If The Secret Sky doesn't invoke some powerful emotions in the reader, I don't know what will. I felt angry, and literally sick to my stomach at times. And always sympathetic. Living under constant threats, knowing that at any minute your life can be completely changed, or even taken from you, is too hard for me to relate to. But The Secret Sky does a good job giving you a taste of what life is like for many people in Afghanistan.
And, while the religious zealots were scary, nothing shocked me more than the behavior of Fatima's mother. I AM a mother, and I totally cannot fathom.....
Abawi does a good job of depicting Afghanistan as a beautiful place with many different peoples who are very kind and just want to live their lives as they see fit. The pacing is brisk, and there's never a dull moment.
The Secret Sky is a classic story of young people rebelling against their arranged marriages, but the consequences are deeply disturbing. Teens who enjoy these types of stories won't want to miss The Secret Sky.
April 30, 2015
There were a couple times that I thought I wouldn't be able to finish The Secret Sky, not because it is a bad or poorly-written book, but because it landed gut-punches with its gritty realism. It's a love story, yes, but one of forbidden love in a country where simply being seen in the presence of the opposite sex can result in public beatings, bodily mutilation, or even death. Fatima is a Hazara, a Shia, and a peasant farmer's daughter. Samiullah (Sami for short) is a a Pashtun, a Sunni, and the son of a landowner. It is tough enough to fight against the differences in ethnic cultures, religions, lifestyle, and social class, but when you mix in two sets of parents who believe in the strict order of things and that they know what's best for you, you are literally in for the fight of your life.
The Secret Sky is told from three points-of-view, which was surprising. Not only do we see the world through Fatima and Sami's eyes, but we also see the world in darker tones, through the eyes of Sami's cousin, Rashid, who has been away at madrasa, an Islamic religious school. Unlike Sami, who also was away at the madrasa but returned home early, Rashid relished in learning the ways of the Taliban, and has returned home full of misplaced ego and burning hate. When he spies Fatima and Sami talking alone in the woods, he entreats the sadistic Mullah Latif to seek public punishment for the sin of - of what? For those of us blessed to be born into free societies, it's mind-boggling that what Fatima and Sami did (um, talk) could be considered a sin. Little does Rashid know, however, that Mullah Latif doesn't just stop at public "punishment." No, he's out for blood. When Sami and Fatima get wind of the danger they're in, they spirit away together in the middle of the night, with Mullah Latif and his murderous goonies hot on their heels.
Now, of course, there's a lot more than happens during and after the short paragraph above, but I won't want to give away the whole story. The Secret Sky is filled with heart-breaking scenes and graphic descriptions of the many heartaches that the many of the people of Afghanistan endure on a daily basis. (This is where I must say that some scenes are not for the faint of heart.) Not only are you prohibited from doing normal, everyday things Americans take for granted, like being able to speak to a friend of the opposite sex out in the open, or walk down the street as a single woman, but for the Afghani teenager, even your life is not your own. Sami's father drives this home when he tells Sami:
This statement stuck out to me because my parents taught me just the opposite: With hard work and focus, and by doing the right thing, I could achieve and have just about anything I want. They also taught me to be happy with what I do have, and this ideal is certainly found throughout the book as well.
The characters in The Secret Sky are well-written, and I found myself thinking about Fatima, Sami, Afifa (Fatima's adorable baby sister), and Rashid in between readings and even long after I closed the book. I like that the characters were all written as humans and not some either/or version of a human. Rashid was not wholly evil, Fatima's mother did some shocking things, and even one of Mullah Latif's goonies wasn't a total goon.
The romance between Sami and Fatima was, at first, a little too sudden, as there wasn't enough back-story of their time together as children, but as the story went on, I fell in love with their love. I also believe that what they went through is a true representation of what a lot of couples in that part of the world have to go through just to be together. And there's no guarantee that either of them will make it out alive.
The Secret Sky did not necessarily end on a happily-ever-after note. And, really, after everything that happens in the book, how can it? It does however, end with hope, and that is one thing that the Afghani people hold onto and believe in, despite the horrors outside their doors. Atia Abawi, drawing from her personal experiences in Afghanistan as a foreign correspondent, was true to her characters and true to the people of Afghanistan, and there's not much more you can ask for than that.
I highly recommend The Secret Sky for its authenticity, its boldness, and its complexity. It may be difficult to read at times, but I urge you to look your fear and disgust in the eye and not flinch away - just like the people of Afghanistan do every single day.
"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet." - Jala ad-Din Rumi
The Secret Sky is told from three points-of-view, which was surprising. Not only do we see the world through Fatima and Sami's eyes, but we also see the world in darker tones, through the eyes of Sami's cousin, Rashid, who has been away at madrasa, an Islamic religious school. Unlike Sami, who also was away at the madrasa but returned home early, Rashid relished in learning the ways of the Taliban, and has returned home full of misplaced ego and burning hate. When he spies Fatima and Sami talking alone in the woods, he entreats the sadistic Mullah Latif to seek public punishment for the sin of - of what? For those of us blessed to be born into free societies, it's mind-boggling that what Fatima and Sami did (um, talk) could be considered a sin. Little does Rashid know, however, that Mullah Latif doesn't just stop at public "punishment." No, he's out for blood. When Sami and Fatima get wind of the danger they're in, they spirit away together in the middle of the night, with Mullah Latif and his murderous goonies hot on their heels.
Now, of course, there's a lot more than happens during and after the short paragraph above, but I won't want to give away the whole story. The Secret Sky is filled with heart-breaking scenes and graphic descriptions of the many heartaches that the many of the people of Afghanistan endure on a daily basis. (This is where I must say that some scenes are not for the faint of heart.) Not only are you prohibited from doing normal, everyday things Americans take for granted, like being able to speak to a friend of the opposite sex out in the open, or walk down the street as a single woman, but for the Afghani teenager, even your life is not your own. Sami's father drives this home when he tells Sami:
"Zoya, this is not a world where you can do whatever you want [...] You cannot dream of something and think you can have that in reality. [...] You can't just change everything in your life and lineage because you want something."
This statement stuck out to me because my parents taught me just the opposite: With hard work and focus, and by doing the right thing, I could achieve and have just about anything I want. They also taught me to be happy with what I do have, and this ideal is certainly found throughout the book as well.
The characters in The Secret Sky are well-written, and I found myself thinking about Fatima, Sami, Afifa (Fatima's adorable baby sister), and Rashid in between readings and even long after I closed the book. I like that the characters were all written as humans and not some either/or version of a human. Rashid was not wholly evil, Fatima's mother did some shocking things, and even one of Mullah Latif's goonies wasn't a total goon.
The romance between Sami and Fatima was, at first, a little too sudden, as there wasn't enough back-story of their time together as children, but as the story went on, I fell in love with their love. I also believe that what they went through is a true representation of what a lot of couples in that part of the world have to go through just to be together. And there's no guarantee that either of them will make it out alive.
The Secret Sky did not necessarily end on a happily-ever-after note. And, really, after everything that happens in the book, how can it? It does however, end with hope, and that is one thing that the Afghani people hold onto and believe in, despite the horrors outside their doors. Atia Abawi, drawing from her personal experiences in Afghanistan as a foreign correspondent, was true to her characters and true to the people of Afghanistan, and there's not much more you can ask for than that.
I highly recommend The Secret Sky for its authenticity, its boldness, and its complexity. It may be difficult to read at times, but I urge you to look your fear and disgust in the eye and not flinch away - just like the people of Afghanistan do every single day.
"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet." - Jala ad-Din Rumi
October 22, 2017
Der geheime Himmel ist ein ganz besonders Buch. Aufmerksam darauf wurde ich, als ich die Verlagsvorschau durchblätter habe. Ich interessiere mich sehr für andere Länder und Kulturen und lese gerne Jugendbücher mit Liebesgeschichten, da schien mir dieses Buch sehr passend für mich. Dass das Buch schon im September 2015 als broschierte Ausgabe erschienen ist, habe ich erst später gesehen.
Zum Inhalt. Die Geschichte spielt in einem kleinen afghanischen Dorf. Fatima und Samiullah sind seit ihrer Kindheit Freunde. Doch dann ging Sam auf die Gebetsschule und ihre Wege trennten sich. Früher als erwartet taucht er wieder im Dorf auf. Doch die beiden sind keine Kinder mehr und ein einfaches Treffen wie früher ist nicht mehr möglich. Auch Samis Cousin Rashid ging auf diese Schule, doch bei ihm hat sie viel mehr Einfluss genommen.
Die Geschichte von Sam und Fatima ist wirklich keine einfache. Man muss sie auf das Buch einlassen, die fremde Kultur annehmen und versuchen zu verstehen. Ich habe davor noch kein Buch gelesen, welches in diesem Kulturkreis spielt, deswegen war vieles neu für mich. Am Ende gibt es einen Glossar, der sehr hilfreich und informativ war. Auch das Vorwort der Autorin fand ich toll. Sie erzählt ein bisschen von ihrer Geschichte und man merkte dann auch beim Lesen des Buches, dass sie wirklich Ahnung von dem hat, worüber sie schreibt. So wirkte die ganze Geschichte sehr authentisch auf mich, was es noch schlimmer machte.
Der Roman wird aus der Perspektive von drei Charakteren erzählt, von Fatima, Samiullah und Rashid. Alle drei Perspektiven hatten etwas. Durch Fatima erfährt man viel über den Stellenwert der Frauen und über den Alltag, das Familienleben und allgemein bekommt man durch sie ein gutes Gefühl für ihre Umgebung. Sams Kapitel sind geprägt durch Fatima und seine Gefühle für sie und dann später, den Drang sie zu beschützen.
Rashids Kapitel sind da ein starker Kontrast, strotzen sie gerade zu Beginn nur so von Hass und Überheblichkeit. Durch ihn lernt der Leser sehr schön, wie leicht es doch ist einen jungen Menschen zu beeinflussen. Und was für Auswirkungen es haben kann.
In diesem Augenblick will ich mit ihm zu einem geheimen Himmel auffliegen,
den Atem anhalten und loslaufen ohne die Füße zu bewegen,
einzig geleitet von unseren Herzen.
In diesem Buch findet man keine klassische Liebesgeschichte. Aber trotzdem kommt die Liebe der beiden, von Sam und Fatima sehr gut beim Leser an. Aber auch die Liebe zu der Familie. Mich hat das Buch sehr oft schockiert, mit einem schlimmen Ereignis habe ich gerechnet. Aber es gab viele andere, die mich überrascht haben. Überrascht, weil es so unbegreiflich für mich ist.
Zwei Jugendliche, die sich im Wald alleine unterhalten, ein Mädchen und ein Junge, die einfach nur reden. Und was daraus entstehen kann. Familien, die entehrt werden und somit die Zerstörung von Zukunftsaussichten. Verstümmlungen und Mord. Das Buch hat mich immer wieder berührt und betroffen gemacht. Besonders da es so realistisch geschildert war.
Wieso es dann doch "nur" Vier Sterne geworden sind. Der Schreibstil der Autorin war mir manchmal zu einfach gehalten.In einem Abschnitt haben sehr viele Sätze mit Ich angefangen, sodass ich richtig beim Lesen darüber gestolpert bin. Außerdem ging mir die Geschichte zwar nahe, wie könnte sie auch nicht. Aber die Charaktere an sich, gingen mir nicht so ans Herz. Dafür lernte man sie einfach nicht gut genug kennen. Ich fand ihr Handeln realistisch und authentisch, konnte durch ihre Augen ihr Land, ihre Familien und ihre Traditionen begreifen. Aber ihren Charaktere so wirklich greifen konnte ich nicht.
Fazit:
Berührend und schockierend.
In meinen Augen eine wichtige Geschichte.
Ein Junge und ein Mädchen, beide möchten einfach nur zusammen sein und doch scheint es unmöglich. Den nicht nur, dass sie ein Bauernmädchen und er der Sohn eines Ladenbesitzer ist. Nein sie gehören auch noch zwei unterschiedlichen Ethnien an. Ob sie es schaffen und welche Opfer dafür gebracht werden müssen, erfahrt ihr in Der geheime Himmel.
Zum Inhalt. Die Geschichte spielt in einem kleinen afghanischen Dorf. Fatima und Samiullah sind seit ihrer Kindheit Freunde. Doch dann ging Sam auf die Gebetsschule und ihre Wege trennten sich. Früher als erwartet taucht er wieder im Dorf auf. Doch die beiden sind keine Kinder mehr und ein einfaches Treffen wie früher ist nicht mehr möglich. Auch Samis Cousin Rashid ging auf diese Schule, doch bei ihm hat sie viel mehr Einfluss genommen.
Die Geschichte von Sam und Fatima ist wirklich keine einfache. Man muss sie auf das Buch einlassen, die fremde Kultur annehmen und versuchen zu verstehen. Ich habe davor noch kein Buch gelesen, welches in diesem Kulturkreis spielt, deswegen war vieles neu für mich. Am Ende gibt es einen Glossar, der sehr hilfreich und informativ war. Auch das Vorwort der Autorin fand ich toll. Sie erzählt ein bisschen von ihrer Geschichte und man merkte dann auch beim Lesen des Buches, dass sie wirklich Ahnung von dem hat, worüber sie schreibt. So wirkte die ganze Geschichte sehr authentisch auf mich, was es noch schlimmer machte.
Der Roman wird aus der Perspektive von drei Charakteren erzählt, von Fatima, Samiullah und Rashid. Alle drei Perspektiven hatten etwas. Durch Fatima erfährt man viel über den Stellenwert der Frauen und über den Alltag, das Familienleben und allgemein bekommt man durch sie ein gutes Gefühl für ihre Umgebung. Sams Kapitel sind geprägt durch Fatima und seine Gefühle für sie und dann später, den Drang sie zu beschützen.
Rashids Kapitel sind da ein starker Kontrast, strotzen sie gerade zu Beginn nur so von Hass und Überheblichkeit. Durch ihn lernt der Leser sehr schön, wie leicht es doch ist einen jungen Menschen zu beeinflussen. Und was für Auswirkungen es haben kann.
In diesem Augenblick will ich mit ihm zu einem geheimen Himmel auffliegen,
den Atem anhalten und loslaufen ohne die Füße zu bewegen,
einzig geleitet von unseren Herzen.
In diesem Buch findet man keine klassische Liebesgeschichte. Aber trotzdem kommt die Liebe der beiden, von Sam und Fatima sehr gut beim Leser an. Aber auch die Liebe zu der Familie. Mich hat das Buch sehr oft schockiert, mit einem schlimmen Ereignis habe ich gerechnet. Aber es gab viele andere, die mich überrascht haben. Überrascht, weil es so unbegreiflich für mich ist.
Zwei Jugendliche, die sich im Wald alleine unterhalten, ein Mädchen und ein Junge, die einfach nur reden. Und was daraus entstehen kann. Familien, die entehrt werden und somit die Zerstörung von Zukunftsaussichten. Verstümmlungen und Mord. Das Buch hat mich immer wieder berührt und betroffen gemacht. Besonders da es so realistisch geschildert war.
Wieso es dann doch "nur" Vier Sterne geworden sind. Der Schreibstil der Autorin war mir manchmal zu einfach gehalten.In einem Abschnitt haben sehr viele Sätze mit Ich angefangen, sodass ich richtig beim Lesen darüber gestolpert bin. Außerdem ging mir die Geschichte zwar nahe, wie könnte sie auch nicht. Aber die Charaktere an sich, gingen mir nicht so ans Herz. Dafür lernte man sie einfach nicht gut genug kennen. Ich fand ihr Handeln realistisch und authentisch, konnte durch ihre Augen ihr Land, ihre Familien und ihre Traditionen begreifen. Aber ihren Charaktere so wirklich greifen konnte ich nicht.
Fazit:
Berührend und schockierend.
In meinen Augen eine wichtige Geschichte.
Ein Junge und ein Mädchen, beide möchten einfach nur zusammen sein und doch scheint es unmöglich. Den nicht nur, dass sie ein Bauernmädchen und er der Sohn eines Ladenbesitzer ist. Nein sie gehören auch noch zwei unterschiedlichen Ethnien an. Ob sie es schaffen und welche Opfer dafür gebracht werden müssen, erfahrt ihr in Der geheime Himmel.
October 14, 2025
4 oct 2024 :This is definitely one of the best books I have read...
The plot is interesting..
The characters are well developed..
The love story is cute..
I read it in a,single sitting because it was too good.
A,must read for people.
edit 1: the review which i posted earlier didn't did justice to the book cuz maybe i didn't knew this book will mean much to me after one year too!
I loved sami and Fatima and the scene where he apologizes to Fatima cuz he thought maybe he disrespected her was so😭😭 good !!!
I loved their first kiss too! i randomly found this book and ah i love how randomly i get some of the books that get stiched in my heart.
also it's historical love story and i am all in for historical romances!
The plot is interesting..
The characters are well developed..
The love story is cute..
I read it in a,single sitting because it was too good.
A,must read for people.
edit 1: the review which i posted earlier didn't did justice to the book cuz maybe i didn't knew this book will mean much to me after one year too!
I loved sami and Fatima and the scene where he apologizes to Fatima cuz he thought maybe he disrespected her was so😭😭 good !!!
I loved their first kiss too! i randomly found this book and ah i love how randomly i get some of the books that get stiched in my heart.
also it's historical love story and i am all in for historical romances!
January 21, 2018
What distinguishes Atia Abawi’s writing from other Afghan-American authors is that she lived and reported on the ground in Kabul for years. Abawi paints a vivid picture of today’s Afghanistan while exploring its complications, including the conflict between ethnic groups and religious sects. She thoughtfully intertwines these struggles to describe a beautiful, but forbidden love story. Abawi also explores two kinds of Islam: the one hijacked by radicals like the Taliban for their own selfish agenda, and the one she and many Afghans were raised to know—a religion of peace.
May 27, 2020
I needed more.
Full review to come soon.
Full review to come soon.
June 17, 2017
"THIS IS LOVE: TO FLY TOWARD A SECRET SKY,
TO CAUSE A HUNDRED VEILS TO FALL EACH MOMENT.
FIRST TO LET GO OF LIFE.
FINALLY, TO TAKE A STEP WITHOUT FEET."
-Jalal ad-Din Rumi
Because this book is set in Afghanistan, from where comes great writers like Khaled Hosseini, I picked this book with enthusiasm. Not much of my expectations were met though.
OVERVIEW
Samiullah and Fathima are childhood friends. He is a Pashtun boy and she is a Hazara girl. They should have known better than to grow fond of each other. But still, they can't resist falling in love. In the land of Taliban, love like their's is not greeted without contempt. Samiullah's cousin Rashid is bent down on punishing them for their offensive act of falling in love. It is not only them but also their families who must face the consequences. Will their love survive? Would Rashid be condecending enough to spare their love, and life?
My thoughts
¤ ~ The premise was promising - A tale of forbidden love in Afghanistan. But the story felt short of love. Samiullah and Fatima's love story felt just like a 'story' to me, almost forced. Not that I expected any romance. But still, I didn't understand their love and couldn't sympathize for them.
¤ ~ The characters lack a certain depth. I couldn't feel for any of them. I didn't feel any grief or pain on the deaths.
¤ ~ The writing felt... flat. I was emotionless throughout the book. Even if the story was touchy, it earned no sympathy from me. Absolutely none.
¤ ~ I liked the way Atia Abawi blended common observations into her story. It added to the appeal.
Like this -
"I don't stare. Instead I quickly grab some raw dough and stick it to my mouth before running off, barely in time to save myself from a swat from my aunt's rolling pin."
Or even this,
"Behind him is the four-year-old concentrating on a plate full of nuts and candy, obviously afraid of dropping it. Mullah Sarwar kisses him after he succesfully sets the plate down infront of us"
¤ ~ The narrative was very clever. The way it alternates between Samiullah, Rashid and Fathima's perspective, let's us know what was happening behind the scenes.
¤ ~ There was nothing new to the story. I could predict every part of it, even the deaths.. It was a huge turn-off for me. I'm not usually a I-know-what-is-gonna-happen soert of reader. But this book was plain and lacked intensity, I had it all figured out.
VERDICT
I liked the book but did not like the book. I liked it because it successfully portrays the ethnic cultural differences and the hardships of women's life in Afghanistan. Other than that there wasn't much that appealed to me in this book.
April 14, 2015
The Secret Sky: A Novel of Forbidden Love in Afghanistan has a ridiculously long subtitle. Seriously, it is too long and annoyingly so. For now, I will call it The Secret Sky instead of the full (and fun) title. It is like calling Queen Elizabeth II her full majestic name and all those other titles I can't bother remembering for the sake of my life and mind.
Now, knowing about Afghanistan's history would certainly help when one reads The Secret Sky. Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union back in 1979. It is a crazy war (and all wars are crazy, mind you). After the Soviet Union left Afghanistan, the Taliban (which interestingly means "students") takes control of Afghanistan (though not right away, but I'm not going to explain that). So the book is set in an area which is controlled by the Taliban.
Told from three characters (three much different voices), The Secret Sky stars a romance that reminds me of the starcrossed lovers, Juliet and her Romeo. Sami and Fatima are the two lovers, who come from different ethic groups. (Sami is the guy, Fatima the lady. I know. The names are strange and weird.) The romance is odd, and there is this... sort of difference between other YA romance and this romance. This romance has a much different spark and burn. It is delightful to see a much different relationship that still has the markings of many old romances (most notable, Romeo and Juliet).
The world building is vivid, and I can imagine the setting easily. It is vibrant in its beauty, but the harshness of Fatima and Sami's enemies sharpens the contrast between light and darkness. It is really cool (and surprisingly shocking) balance to have in a book. Abawi definitely pulls off the balance, making it really nice and simple.
One of the best parts of The Secret Sky is the violence and the horror. Yes, I know that it is ironic to say this, but I have to say it. It is chilling, and it frequently reminds me that The Secret Sky has a much more deadlier world with gruesome parts and bits. Some parts remind me of a Christian novel (except it isn't, because the characters are Muslim), especially the prayers in the book. (I won't go into too many details about that.)
Overall, The Secret Sky has a sort of adorable and awkward romance that hampers the plot and speeds up the conflict's arrival. Some characters are great while others fall behind. (Rashid and Fatima are great. Sami, not so much.) The book is definitely great with its details, and it manages to remain suspenseful and entertaining while being dark.
Rating: Three out of Five
Now, knowing about Afghanistan's history would certainly help when one reads The Secret Sky. Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union back in 1979. It is a crazy war (and all wars are crazy, mind you). After the Soviet Union left Afghanistan, the Taliban (which interestingly means "students") takes control of Afghanistan (though not right away, but I'm not going to explain that). So the book is set in an area which is controlled by the Taliban.
Told from three characters (three much different voices), The Secret Sky stars a romance that reminds me of the starcrossed lovers, Juliet and her Romeo. Sami and Fatima are the two lovers, who come from different ethic groups. (Sami is the guy, Fatima the lady. I know. The names are strange and weird.) The romance is odd, and there is this... sort of difference between other YA romance and this romance. This romance has a much different spark and burn. It is delightful to see a much different relationship that still has the markings of many old romances (most notable, Romeo and Juliet).
The world building is vivid, and I can imagine the setting easily. It is vibrant in its beauty, but the harshness of Fatima and Sami's enemies sharpens the contrast between light and darkness. It is really cool (and surprisingly shocking) balance to have in a book. Abawi definitely pulls off the balance, making it really nice and simple.
One of the best parts of The Secret Sky is the violence and the horror. Yes, I know that it is ironic to say this, but I have to say it. It is chilling, and it frequently reminds me that The Secret Sky has a much more deadlier world with gruesome parts and bits. Some parts remind me of a Christian novel (except it isn't, because the characters are Muslim), especially the prayers in the book. (I won't go into too many details about that.)
Overall, The Secret Sky has a sort of adorable and awkward romance that hampers the plot and speeds up the conflict's arrival. Some characters are great while others fall behind. (Rashid and Fatima are great. Sami, not so much.) The book is definitely great with its details, and it manages to remain suspenseful and entertaining while being dark.
Rating: Three out of Five
November 21, 2018
The book "Secret Sky" relates to "A Long Walk to Water", though in more of a visible way. Both books mention two main tribes, and how they are enemies, or at least indifferent. But in these two books, in some way, the protagonist(s) closed the gap, and came together. In the book ALWTW, Salva Dut, the main character, is Dinka, yet at the end of the book, decides to help the enemy tribe, the Nuer. He helps drill holes for them, to make their lives better, so they'll never have to walk miles for water again. In "The Secret Sky", the two main characters, Fatima and Samiullah, are lovers. Yet they are from different tribes, and culture is against them. Still they fight against society, and follow their hearts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2015
This is another must read! It really helps you to understand what is happening in Afghanistan. But more importantly, I think teens can identify with Rashid's character. He got carried away by petty jealousy and made a mistake that had tremendous consequences. Some actions simply cannot be undone and you have to learn to live with yourself after. It reminds me of so many of my students who got caught up in gang violence. While this book describes horrible atrocities that made me cry, it also has great hope and spirituality. It helps you to distinguish true Islam from radicalism.
August 2, 2015
I really enjoyed The Secret Sky ( love the title too, from Rumi). Simply but competently written it tells the story of star-crossed lovers in Afghanistan where even falling in love before marriage is against the law, let alone loving someone from a different tribe. Love tales in this part of the world usually end very badly so I was scared to read on in places. Written from three points of view and graphic and tense in parts, it is not only for YA but adults too. It also gives understanding of the culture and religion. Four and a half stars.
July 29, 2022
Well, that was brutal and hard to read and important.
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Fatima (mc) is Hazara; Samiullah (li) is Pashtun; Afghanisatin setting & cast.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Fatima (mc) is Hazara; Samiullah (li) is Pashtun; Afghanisatin setting & cast.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
November 24, 2018
A beautiful story about forbidden love.
February 13, 2024
A little hard to pinpoint when exactly this story takes place, but going to tag it historical for now.
It's like Romeo & Juliet, set in Afghanistan, where one teenage boy (he's 17) is Pashtun and one teenage girl (younger than him, but maybe by a couple of years, but deemed old enough by her parents to marry) is Hazara. Two different ethnic groups. When they were little, they were allowed to be friends. When they started getting older, not so much. Further complications arise when the boy's cousin decides to go after the couple with his madrassa's version of Islamic Law, which is gross brutality.
It's like Romeo & Juliet, set in Afghanistan, where one teenage boy (he's 17) is Pashtun and one teenage girl (younger than him, but maybe by a couple of years, but deemed old enough by her parents to marry) is Hazara. Two different ethnic groups. When they were little, they were allowed to be friends. When they started getting older, not so much. Further complications arise when the boy's cousin decides to go after the couple with his madrassa's version of Islamic Law, which is gross brutality.
August 21, 2021
Popsugar Challenge 2021 - The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover
August 12, 2015
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Released: 2 September 2014
Originally Posted here
I found this book quite by accident as I was browsing the bookstore last week. The paperback was released in June, and to my knowledge it had a quiet release last year when it first arrived on bookshelves.
Now, I will fully admit tothe secret sky being drawn to it because of the cover, its beautiful and I'm desperately in love with the leaf motifs of Arabic cultures. But once I started reading the back I was hooked.
"Set in present-day Afghanistan, this is the story of two teenagers, one Pashtun and one Hazara, who must fight against their culture, their tradition, their families, and the Taliban to stay together. Told in three rotating perspectives—the two teens and another boy in the village who turns them in to the local Taliban—this novel depicts both the violent realities of living in Afghanistan, as well as the beauty of the land and the cultures there. And it shows that love can bloom in even the darkest of places."
What I found to be so profoundly interesting about this book was how much I didn't understand. I was in high school for 9/11. I was fully aware of what happened and the aftermath that followed, but never really took the time to understand what was going on inside those countries until sometime in college. So this book provided me a different view point on what happened inside that country.
Between Fatima, Samiullah and Rashid you get at least a small look into what life must be like for people growing up in the rural areas of Afghanistan. For Fatima and Sami, the fact that they fell in love is not okay, it's wrong and disrespectful to their tribes and families. Their own families think they've done something wrong simply by being two teenagers in love.
And there is Rashid, who through most of the book I just wanted to smack, but by having his voice as a narrator there is understanding. Through him the reader gets what a teenage boy who has joined the Taliban might be thinking and why he does what he does.
I found this to be a profoundly important read and will strongly suggest it to pretty much everyone I come across as something they should read. Especially in America. We, as a culture, don't typically think of those small towns where these things might take place, and probably do take place on a regular basis.
Its important to see these kids as humans and to not demonize and entire culture because of what one group is doing, and I think that was, in some way, part of the message that Atia Abawi was trying to get across.
But, at the end of the day, book is just beautifully written and with a glossary at the back for all the Dari and Pashto words that she uses. I thought she did a great job of using context to explain what they meant within the story line.
I just don't think I can express how important I think this book is for young Americans to read. It gets them a view point not their own and puts them in a world that they're likely never going to experience first hand. And I think that is huge as we move forward into the increasingly global era.
Consider buying this through my Book Depot
Released: 2 September 2014
Originally Posted here
I found this book quite by accident as I was browsing the bookstore last week. The paperback was released in June, and to my knowledge it had a quiet release last year when it first arrived on bookshelves.
Now, I will fully admit tothe secret sky being drawn to it because of the cover, its beautiful and I'm desperately in love with the leaf motifs of Arabic cultures. But once I started reading the back I was hooked.
"Set in present-day Afghanistan, this is the story of two teenagers, one Pashtun and one Hazara, who must fight against their culture, their tradition, their families, and the Taliban to stay together. Told in three rotating perspectives—the two teens and another boy in the village who turns them in to the local Taliban—this novel depicts both the violent realities of living in Afghanistan, as well as the beauty of the land and the cultures there. And it shows that love can bloom in even the darkest of places."
What I found to be so profoundly interesting about this book was how much I didn't understand. I was in high school for 9/11. I was fully aware of what happened and the aftermath that followed, but never really took the time to understand what was going on inside those countries until sometime in college. So this book provided me a different view point on what happened inside that country.
Between Fatima, Samiullah and Rashid you get at least a small look into what life must be like for people growing up in the rural areas of Afghanistan. For Fatima and Sami, the fact that they fell in love is not okay, it's wrong and disrespectful to their tribes and families. Their own families think they've done something wrong simply by being two teenagers in love.
And there is Rashid, who through most of the book I just wanted to smack, but by having his voice as a narrator there is understanding. Through him the reader gets what a teenage boy who has joined the Taliban might be thinking and why he does what he does.
I found this to be a profoundly important read and will strongly suggest it to pretty much everyone I come across as something they should read. Especially in America. We, as a culture, don't typically think of those small towns where these things might take place, and probably do take place on a regular basis.
Its important to see these kids as humans and to not demonize and entire culture because of what one group is doing, and I think that was, in some way, part of the message that Atia Abawi was trying to get across.
But, at the end of the day, book is just beautifully written and with a glossary at the back for all the Dari and Pashto words that she uses. I thought she did a great job of using context to explain what they meant within the story line.
I just don't think I can express how important I think this book is for young Americans to read. It gets them a view point not their own and puts them in a world that they're likely never going to experience first hand. And I think that is huge as we move forward into the increasingly global era.
Consider buying this through my Book Depot
January 16, 2015
This new young adult novel by Atia Abawi, a foreign news correspondent stationed in Afghanistan during the war, has all the elements of Romeo and Juliet: young lovers from families of different social status and backgrounds, parents who disapprove of their relationship, a jealous cousin, deaths of innocent secondary characters, and a clandestine marriage performed by a sympathetic priest. Except this story takes place in modern day Afghanistan and (spoiler alert!) it does have a happy ending.
Abawi lifts the veil into a society that will shock most Westerners. She portrays a modern world set in a remote Taliban-controlled village where not only are marriages arranged by parents, but teenage girls and boys can’t talk privately without being accused of sexual immorality and girls risk death by the hands of their fathers for meeting a boy alone. Add to this that girls don’t attend school and upper-class boys go to school to become Taliban soldiers—and you have the key world building components of The Secret Sky.
Into this world step childhood friends, Fatima, who is Hazara and Samiullah who is Pashtun. Samiullah has just returned from the Taliban controlled school and Fatima doesn't know why. The two meet surreptitiously and confess their love for one another. Stakes are raised when Rashid, Samiullah’s jealous cousin, sees them and reports their meeting to the couples’ fathers. Believing that the only way to save Fatima’s honor is by declaring his intention to marry her, Samiullah actually digs a pit so deep that they must escape.
Told from three points-of-view, each character’s journey is full
of external and internal conflicts. If Fatima leaves her deeply-loved family she will surely cause them shame. Samiullah constantly wrestles with his responsibility to Fatmia. Can he ask her to give up her family to go to Kabul where they know no one but could be together? Will Rasheed’s jealousy and own painful backstory fuel his loyalty to the Taliban and betrayal of his cousin and Fatima? These questions propel the story forward.
The secondary characters in The Secret Sky round out the story. Fatima's best friend's grandmother who is teaching the girls how to read, remembers a time when women were freer and bemoans the direction of her country. The Taliban soldiers, the main characters' family members, and the priest who marries them are portrayed with in-depth accuracy.
As I listened to this audio CD I was reminded of The Good Braider, another contemporary book depicting another culture. I label both as contemporary historical fiction and recommend using them in middle and high school classrooms.
Abawi lifts the veil into a society that will shock most Westerners. She portrays a modern world set in a remote Taliban-controlled village where not only are marriages arranged by parents, but teenage girls and boys can’t talk privately without being accused of sexual immorality and girls risk death by the hands of their fathers for meeting a boy alone. Add to this that girls don’t attend school and upper-class boys go to school to become Taliban soldiers—and you have the key world building components of The Secret Sky.
Into this world step childhood friends, Fatima, who is Hazara and Samiullah who is Pashtun. Samiullah has just returned from the Taliban controlled school and Fatima doesn't know why. The two meet surreptitiously and confess their love for one another. Stakes are raised when Rashid, Samiullah’s jealous cousin, sees them and reports their meeting to the couples’ fathers. Believing that the only way to save Fatima’s honor is by declaring his intention to marry her, Samiullah actually digs a pit so deep that they must escape.
Told from three points-of-view, each character’s journey is full
of external and internal conflicts. If Fatima leaves her deeply-loved family she will surely cause them shame. Samiullah constantly wrestles with his responsibility to Fatmia. Can he ask her to give up her family to go to Kabul where they know no one but could be together? Will Rasheed’s jealousy and own painful backstory fuel his loyalty to the Taliban and betrayal of his cousin and Fatima? These questions propel the story forward.
The secondary characters in The Secret Sky round out the story. Fatima's best friend's grandmother who is teaching the girls how to read, remembers a time when women were freer and bemoans the direction of her country. The Taliban soldiers, the main characters' family members, and the priest who marries them are portrayed with in-depth accuracy.
As I listened to this audio CD I was reminded of The Good Braider, another contemporary book depicting another culture. I label both as contemporary historical fiction and recommend using them in middle and high school classrooms.
September 26, 2014
Fatima and Sami grew up in the same village, but ancestry, religion, and economic status are an implacable barrier between them now that they are teens. At least until Sami is sent home in disgrace from a harsh religious school, and sees Fatima for the first time in years. Fatima knows she is breaking the rules when she lingers on the road to speak with her long-lost friend, but she stays for that first shy conversation anyway. Their gentle, entirely innocent courtship is interrupted when Sami's cousin spies on them. Rashid--under the influence of the Taliban--reports on Sami and Fatima, inciting a hunt for the teenagers that leaves a terrible trail of blood in its wake.
I picked up this book looking for a window into another culture (one I trusted would be accurate and well-depicted, due to Abawi's experience as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East), but The Secret Sky is so much more than that--I was pulled into Fatima's sweet, curious POV from chapter one. The book alternates between Fatima, Sami, and Rashid's POV. Readers will mourn with Fatima as her innocent curiosity turns to grief; they will cheer for Sami, who is bold enough to challenge tradition, and shudder as Rashid's jealousy and turbulent soul damages everyone he cares about.
Harsh realities are not sugarcoated throughout the book, so I wouldn't recommend this to teen readers who aren't ready for the intensity. That said, Fatima and Sami offer an engaging, emotionally gripping look at what life is really like to teens in some parts of Afghanistan. I highly recommend this title as a relevant multi-cultural selection for any library collection.
I picked up this book looking for a window into another culture (one I trusted would be accurate and well-depicted, due to Abawi's experience as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East), but The Secret Sky is so much more than that--I was pulled into Fatima's sweet, curious POV from chapter one. The book alternates between Fatima, Sami, and Rashid's POV. Readers will mourn with Fatima as her innocent curiosity turns to grief; they will cheer for Sami, who is bold enough to challenge tradition, and shudder as Rashid's jealousy and turbulent soul damages everyone he cares about.
Harsh realities are not sugarcoated throughout the book, so I wouldn't recommend this to teen readers who aren't ready for the intensity. That said, Fatima and Sami offer an engaging, emotionally gripping look at what life is really like to teens in some parts of Afghanistan. I highly recommend this title as a relevant multi-cultural selection for any library collection.
March 3, 2016
This novel is truly comparable to Romeo & Juliet, though with a slightly more hopeful ending. A former NBC Afghanistan news correspondent writes about two teenagers, Fatima and Sami, whose greatest transgression is being alone together, but even that is punishable by death. When they are caught alone by Sami’s cousin Rashid, it sparks cruelty from family members. Their families refuse to allow marriage because they are from two different Afghan races, with much tension between them. The decision to run away to the city and get married causes them to be hunted by Taliban soldiers, who leave bloodshed in their wake.
The Secret Sky sheds light on a culture that most Americans know little to nothing about, and its portrayal is both powerful and frightening. This one is not for the faint of heart, due to graphic violence. My biggest issue was how two people who have never even kissed before and have barely seen each other for a decade will suddenly be married and spend their lives together, but that could just be my cynicism. The fundamentalist leaders’ flaws were particularly heavy-handed, but I don’t know enough about the truth to question it. Overall, the culture was unique compared to things I’ve read before, but the writing didn’t blow me away, and it’s a story we’ve all heard before, just in a different setting.
3.5 out of 5 stars
The Secret Sky sheds light on a culture that most Americans know little to nothing about, and its portrayal is both powerful and frightening. This one is not for the faint of heart, due to graphic violence. My biggest issue was how two people who have never even kissed before and have barely seen each other for a decade will suddenly be married and spend their lives together, but that could just be my cynicism. The fundamentalist leaders’ flaws were particularly heavy-handed, but I don’t know enough about the truth to question it. Overall, the culture was unique compared to things I’ve read before, but the writing didn’t blow me away, and it’s a story we’ve all heard before, just in a different setting.
3.5 out of 5 stars
December 16, 2014
I see that The Secret Sky is currently at 4.04 stars, or something like that. I'm torn between giving it 2 or giving it 3. I'm a teen librarian, but it's been a long time since I was a teen, so it's not always easy to put myself in the mindset of a teenager, but that's my goal.
That said, it's likely that what I disliked about this book would be less bothersome to an actual teen.
Rashid, the "bad guy", is just TOO bad. In fact, he's insane. That in itself is believable, because he believes absolutely in his own distorted view of his religion, but I think the book would have been more effective if he was a more rational character. In short, Rashid is a caricature, a stereotype, and for me, not believable.
I suspect that this won't bother most teens as much as it bothers me, but... I guess I'll have to ask some teens what they think.
That said, it's likely that what I disliked about this book would be less bothersome to an actual teen.
Rashid, the "bad guy", is just TOO bad. In fact, he's insane. That in itself is believable, because he believes absolutely in his own distorted view of his religion, but I think the book would have been more effective if he was a more rational character. In short, Rashid is a caricature, a stereotype, and for me, not believable.
I suspect that this won't bother most teens as much as it bothers me, but... I guess I'll have to ask some teens what they think.
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May 27, 2015 Fatima is a lower-class girl who is secretly in love with Sami, a upper-class boy. When Sami disgraces his family and Fatima's (by accident) his brother turns him in to the Taliban who works on trying to kill Fatima and Sami. Though Fatima and Sami get away, many other saddening deaths are caused. And many unthinkable ones to.
I gave this book four stars because it told us the horrors of what the Afghanistan's have to live through even today and how much work it would take to fix everything over there. I would recommend this book to people who like romance and adventure novels.
I gave this book four stars because it told us the horrors of what the Afghanistan's have to live through even today and how much work it would take to fix everything over there. I would recommend this book to people who like romance and adventure novels.
December 26, 2014
Thought this would be more of a light-hearted read, but absolutely not - it cuts right to the heart of the violence and condemnation that plague Afghan culture today. The author paints a picture of bravery and love pitted against the depravity and fanatical thinking that twist relations between people, under the guise of religion. It shows the heartbreaking choices young people are faced with and reminds us there is much more to Afghanistan than the current war.
December 6, 2019
Heart wrenching and enlightening, this book takes a hard look at what life is like in Afghanistan, between traditional Islam and radicalism, culture and religion. Abawi lends credibility to this story as she has observed, lived, and breathed. It contains graphic elements, however, and I would caution it being read by anyone under the age of 16, personally.
May 30, 2015
If you want a read that pulls no punches but really lets you have it, this is the book. Read the rest of my review here
November 8, 2014
Heart wrenching but hopeful.
September 3, 2016
An absolute favorite and a must read!!
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